- VMA-331
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Marine Attack Squadron 331 
VMA-331 InsigniaActive Country United States Allegiance United States of America Branch United States Marine Corps Type Fighter squadron Role Close air support
Air interdictionPart of Inactive Nickname Bumblebees
Doodlebugs (WWII)Tail Code VL Engagements World War II
* Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign
Vietnam War
Operation Desert StormMarine Attack Squadron 331 (VMA-331) was an attack squadron in the United States Marine Corps. The squadron, also known as the “Doodlebugs” and “Bumblebees”, were part of Marine Aircraft Group 32, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and were based out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. They squadron fought in World War II, the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. They were deactivated as part of the post Cold War drawdown of the US Military on October 1, 1992.
Contents
History
World War II
Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 331 (VMSB-331) was formed on January 1, 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina[1]. On June 1, 1943, the squadron's personnel and aircraft were divided to form VMSB-332[2]. Also in June of that year they were moved and became the first squadron to arrive at Bogue Field, North Carolina [2]. This was followed by a move to San Diego in September to prepare for movement to the South Pacific[2]. The squadron deployed overseas, finally arriving at Nukufetau on November 15, 1943[1]. They operated from that island during the invasion of the Gilbert Islands. On November 30, 1943 they sent a detachment to Tarawa to aid in patrol operations until December 26, 1943. In October 1944, the squadron was redesignated Marine Fighter Bomber Squadron 331 (VMBF-331) but they reverted back to VMSB-331 on December 30, 1944[1]. The squadron remained the Pacific and carried out air strikes against by-passed Japanese positions in the Marshall Islands for the remainder of the war[1].
Following the war, VMSB-331 returned to the United States in October of 1945 and were deactivated quickly thereafter on November 21, 1945[3].
1950s & early 1960s
AD-6 Skyraider of VMA-331
In 1959, VMA-331 was the last squadron in the Marine Corps to deploy overseas while flying the A-1 Skyraider[4]. VMA-331 deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Bay of Pigs Invasion and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico during the blockade of Cuba. Two Skyhawks were lost during a two plane section take-off the day the squadron left MCAS Beaufort for the Caribbean. A very gusty cross-wind blew the lead aircraft into the wingman. At Guantanamo Bay, a Skyhawk making a low level practice gunnery run hit the base perimeter fence. Another Skyhawk flew into the ocean off Vieques Island, Puerto Rico [5]. .
Vietnam War
The squadron made five deployments to Republic of Vietnam in support of combat operations during the Vietnam War. Three times they were based out of Chu Lai and once each they were stationed at Da Nang and Bein Hoa[5].
A-4M Skyhawks at MCAS Cherry Point in 1979In 1972, the squadron received its first A4-M, replacing the A4-E.
1980s, the Gulf War and deactivation
On January 25, 1985, VMA-331 became the first fully operational AV-8B Harrier II in Marine Corps service[6]. The squadron deployed on the USS Nassau (LHA-4) to the Persian Gulf and eventually flew 243 sorties dropping 256 tons of ordinance and became the first Marine Attack Squadron to conduct combat operations from a Landing Helicopter Assault ship [7]. While supporting Operation Desert Storm, an AV-8B Harrier II from the squadron was shot down by an SA-7 over Safwan, Iraq on February 27, 1991. The pilot, Capt Reginald C. Underwood, was killed in action[8].
Notable former members
- Charles O. Hobaugh - NASA astronaut
- Manuel Rivera, Jr.
See also
- United States Marine Corps Aviation
- List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
- List of inactive United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
Notes
- ^ a b c d *Sherrod, Robert (1952). History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II. Washington, D.C.: Combat Forces Press. ISBN 0892010487.
- ^ a b c Shettle Jr., M. L. (2001). United States Marine Corps Air Stations of World War II. Bowersville, Georgia: Schaertel Publishing Co.. ISBN 0-964-33882-3.
- ^ Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle – Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War.. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31906-5.
- ^ Marine Corps Aviation. United States Navy Historical Society. http://www.history.navy.mil/download/mca-m8.pdf.
- ^ a b "VMA-331 Bumblebees". Skyhawk Association. http://www.skyhawk.org/4e/vma331/vma331.htm.
- ^ United States Naval Aviation 1910 - 1995. United States Navy Historical Society. http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-1910/PART11.PDF.
- ^ "Gulf War: February 1991". Naval Historical Center. http://www.history.navy.mil/wars/dstorm/dsfeb.htm.
- ^ "US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos - Third Series (160007 to 163049)". Joseph F. Baugher. http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/thirdseries21.html.
References
- Bibliography
- Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle - Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939 - 1945. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31906-5.
- Sherrod, Robert (1952). History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II. Washington, D.C.: Combat Forces Press. ISBN 0892010487. OCLC 1261876.
- Web
Categories:- United States Marine Corps fixed wing squadrons
- Inactive units of the United States Marine Corps
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